The Family Law and Divorce practices are managed by the Firm's founding principal Maria C. Tebano. Ms. Tebano has been a practicing family law and divorce attorney in New York State for nearly two decades, and her talent as a courtroom litigator has been widely recognized by clients and adversaries alike.

Matrimonial and Family Law remain complex and emotionally charged areas of the law and primarily include matters pertaining to:

In most cases, a divorce settlement can be achieved without the need for the court to intervene. This can be done by some form of negotiation, mediation or collaborative means. When spouses are unable to come to an agreement, their case is then presented to the court for consideration and final disposition.

The Supreme Court of the State of New York has the authority to decide issues of divorce, property division, maintenance, support and custody. After the court hears evidence of the specific facts of the case, it will decide these issues based upon statutes (New York Domestic Relations Law) and case precedent.

The Family Court of the State of New York has the authority to decide issues relating to maintenance, support and custody, but cannot hear issues relating to property division or divorce.

Each spouse will hire their own divorce lawyer to handle their case. Whether the spouse is attempting to negotiate a settlement or presenting their case to the court, he or she needs a knowledgeable and experienced family law attorney to get the benefit the law has to offer. The divorce lawyer represents one spouse in the traditional attorney-client relationship that may involve litigation or result in a negotiated settlement. Litigation in court is costly from the financial and emotional perspective. However, certain family matters can only be resolved through litigation.

The firm regularly handles complex divorce and family law cases including many appellate cases. The attorneys at Tebano & Associates, PLLC come from diverse backgrounds and yield expertise in a wide range of legal disciplines in order to facilitate the fast and successful resolution of matrimonial and family law matters. Our attorneys can provide counsel to clients on issues pertaining to business valuation and dissolution matters, pension and retirement benefits, income and tax consequences, valuation of advanced degrees and licenses, child support and custody arrangements.

The laws of equitable distribution of marital property are complex, dynamic and multifaceted. Before agreeing to a property settlement or before asking the court to divide property, it is very important to conduct financial disclosure to determine how and when the specific property and all other assets were acquired.

Separate property is not subject to equitable distribution by the court. An experienced and skillful divorce lawyer will help to guide a client through the maze of the laws and disclosure devices which may affect the client's financial rights, obligations and the division of property.

Seriously pursuing alternatives to litigation, such as mediation, negotiation or collaborative law, will make the difference between getting a divorce and surviving a divorce. When a child's best interests are at stake, seeking peaceful co-parenting solutions to custody and visitation disputes will positively affect a child for the rest of his or her life.

The firm is known for its casual brilliance and unassuming tenacity, however, litigation remains a last resort, pursued primarily after cost-effective efforts to resolve the matter compassionately are exhausted.

Contact Us

During your initial consultation, an experienced divorce attorney from our firm will review with you the critical facts in your case. We believe in starting with your end goals and strategizing backwards to ensure the most efficient and cost effective method of attaining your desired result. The best attorney to hire is one that is experienced in matters that will ensure you achieve the desired result.

Contact us to see how we may assist with your case. We can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 518-250-4281 or via email atattorneys@tebanolaw.com.